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Artist Mejo Okon’s studio deep in the heart of San
Angelo’s Chicken Farm
Art Center looks like the home of a West Texas artist. A
4-foot square painting of a blue bull on a background of
gold leaf dominates the small space. On the walls are
paintings of cowboys and their horses, of prize cattle,
of agave cactus. A Mexican village spills down a
cliffside in blocks of color.
Despite the evidence, Okon is not from West Texas. The
Indiana native made her way to San Angelo four years
ago, pursuing careers along the way that ranged from
advertising illustration to costume manager for
traveling Broadway shows, from graphic designer to NBC
courtroom sketch artist. “There was always that little
inner voice that said, ‘Paint. Run away and paint,’”
Okon said. “I ran away a couple of times — I’ve lived in
Alaska, South Carolina, Michigan, New York City.”
Mejo Okon is fond of repeating what natives from the
Lone Star State often say: “There are two Texases: Texas
and West Texas.” Okon moved straight into the heart of
ranching country. Since settling here, she has found
endless inspiration in cowboys, ranches and the
landscape. But then again, she has always loved horses
and animals. “I grew up when cowboys were popular on
television. I still have my boots from when I was three
years old. And my old cap guns hang in my studio.”
When it comes to style of work, Okon is a
self-described colorist. “I really like to capture my
images when the sun begins to set. I am drawn to the
extreme shadows, colors and contrasts.” Mejo Okon
considers her work to follow a contemporary western
theme. Her work has been published in “Southwest Art
Magazine”, “Society of Illustrators: Illustrators 18”
and “200 Years of American Illustration.” She is a
member of the Oil Painters of America, American Plains
Artists, and Colored Pencil Society of America.
education: Bachelor of Fine Arts from Herron School of
Art and Design, Indiana University
studio:
Chicken Farm Art Center, Studio # 15, 2505 Martin
Luther King Blvd.
information: 325.227.3173
email: mejokon@hotmail.com |
